Sail-float



June 5, 1962 w. l.. JANTzl-:N

SAIL-FLOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.. 25. 1960 Md( ff ATTORNEYS3,037,220 SAIL-FLOAT William L. Jantzen, 117 Grand View Ave., WhitePlains, NY. Filed Feb. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 11,060 6 Claims. (Cl. 9-312)This invention relates to a water buoyant garment such as a buoyantswimming garment in conjunction with sailing means coupled to thegarment, whereby the wearer may be propelled through the water.

Generally speaking, most buoyant water garments comprise iniiated,flexible devices contoured to fit the shape of the human body and areprovided with fastening means for fastening the device near or about thearms, or in the region of the legs, e.g. the thighs, or by straps aboutthe waist. Where fastening means have been used about the arms or legs,movement of such bodily extremities in the water was usually impeded.Where the inflated article has been fastened by straps about the waistin order lto fasten the garment to the front of the wearer With the aimof keeping his head above water, it was necessary generally, because ofthe extreme flexibility of the inflated article, to tighten the strapssomewhat about the waist to compensate as far as possible for any givethat might occur during readjustment due to residual elasticity in thetightened garment. Generally, this tightening Would result in flatteningout of the inflated article against the body so as to decrease itsbuoyancy effect, particularly in the aforesaid type of buoyant watergarment. Further, an inflated type garment or cushion is rendereduseless when punctured. Often, life saving appurtenances are also usedas seat cushions. An inflated device is, of course, subjected to severestrain when so used, and often ruptures at the seams.

As a substitute for the inflated device, kapoc is often used in lifesaving garments and cushions. Kapoc is a vegetable fiber which derivesits buoyancy from the air surrounding the libers. When kapoc issubjected .to a compressive force, such as produced by one sitting onthe material, the air around the bers is correspondingly reduced involume, thereby decreasing the buoyancy of the material.

I have found that in order to provide a water buoyant apparel of theforegoing type, but without the attendant shortcomings, it should havesubstantial structural rigidity and stiffness yet be characterized bysufficient overall resilience conducive to wearing comfort withoutadversely affecting the buoyancy of the article or its stability in use.

It is the object of the invention to provide a rigid though somewhatresilient water buoyant garment adapted to support the wearer in aposition with his head well above water and capable of being tightlystrapped to the front of the body without changing the thickness of ortiattening out the garment.

Another object is to provide a substantially rigid water garment capableof maintaining the wearer in stable onback position while maintainingthe wearers head well above water.

A further object is to provide a buoyant article of substantially rigidstructure in combination with a sail assembly, whereby the wearer may bepropelled through the Water.

These and other objects will more clearly appear from the disclosure andthe appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of my invention comprising a panel with anupper buoyant head rest portion and a lower buoyant body portionpartially cut away to reveal the internal structure thereof;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken lthrough line 12-2 of FIG. 1 showing thecontour and the general internal structure of the upper head restportion and the lower body portion of the water garment;

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment yof the invention wherein the watergarment has associated therewith a small sail assembly to enable thewearer to manipulate himself through the water;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 44 showing one type ofsupport or well which may be used in supporting the sail assembly; and

vlFIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of another support for the sailassembly.

In essence, my water garment sail-float combination comprises a singlesubstantially rigid panel having an elliptieally shaped opening near oneend through which the head of the wearer can be inserted, the major axisof the ell-iptical opening running transverse to the longitudinal axisof the panel. By slipping the head into the opening with thelongitudinal axis of the panel transverse to the body of the wearer andthen turning the panel about the wearers neck so that its longitudinalaxis lines up with that of the body of the wearer, the disposition ofthe panel is then such that it rests on the wearers chest with thewearers head resting on a portion of the panel above the opening. Thepart of the garment on both sides of the opening are sutiicientlyflexible to permit the garment to be secured against the wearers chest.By providing an adjustable belt or strap on the panel, the panel canthen be Ibuckled about the wearers waist. A sailing assembly is securedto the panel, whereby the wearer while on his back may be propelledthrough the water as a sail boat. In effect, the wearers bodycorresponds to the boat hull; `and his head is free from possibleimmersion as a result of a head rest portion of the garment supportinghis head well above the water.

In one embodiment, the sailing assembly or auto-sail is formed of asingle panel of substantially rigid construction comprising a lowerbuoyant body portion and an upper buoyant head rest portion with buoyantconnecting portions therebetween. The entire surface of the panel issurrounded by a layer or padding of resilient sponge material havingelastomeric properties, e.g. artiiicial or natural rubber. The outersurface of the sponge layer has a smooth substantially wat-er resistantcoating of resilient material, e.g. vinyl, adhering toit.

This outer surface, skin or rind serves several pur poses. It provides atough and durable wearing surface; it adds to the overall impermeabilityof the device, it provides color and eye appeal; and further, itpresents a surface which dries rapidly and therefore may be storedalmost immediately after use.

The lower portion of the panel has confined within the surroundingsponge padding a compar-tment containing in its cross-section blocks ofrigid sponge material of very low density, such as sponge glassseparated from each other by shims of resilient sponge material alsohaving elastomeric properties. The upper buoyant head rest portion alsohas within ythe surrounding sponge layer or padding a compartmentcontaining cross members of resilient sponge material securely bonded tothe upper and lower inner surfaces of the surrounding sponge layer, thebond comprising any known adhesive, such as an air-curable type bondingcement commonly used for elastomeric materials. An opening is providednear one end of the panel between the head rest portion and the bodyportion for receiving the head of the wearer, fastening means beingassociated with the body portion for securing i-t to the front of thewearer.

The foregoing structure, while non-inflatable and substantially rigid inconstruction, is light weight Iand very buoyant. of resilient material,it has resilience conducive to con- Be'cause of the outer sponge layeror paddingI J ferring comfort to the wearer. The vinyl or other similarcoating on the outer surface of the sponge layer -maintains the panelwater tight as well as adds to its appearance, since such coatings maybe applied in any desired color.

I prefer, however, that each structural component mal;- ing up the panelbe structurally self-buoyant so that any opening that may occur in thesurface of the panel will not result in the garment becoming waterlogged with the resulting loss in buoyancy. Thus, the outer sponge layerpreferably has a unicellular structure, that is each pore or cell wouldbe sealed off from the other so that the sponge padding can not absorbwater. Likewise, the rigid blocks of sponge glass are also unicellularin structure as are the sponge shims separating the blocks. The crossmembers of resilient sponge material employed in the head restcompartment would be similarly constructed.

To aid in the better understanding of the invention, reference is madeto FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the panel is indicated generally by thenumeral 1 comprising upper buoyant head rest portion 2 and lower buoyantbody portion 3. The panel is provided with an elliptical opening 4 nearthe head rest portion adapted to receive the head of the wearer, thelower body portion having associated with its upper and reverse surfacesfastening means comprising aprons of exible material 5, such as canvas,bonded to the panel surface. The upper apron may be used to display oradvertise a name. In addition the aprons secure belts or straps 6 and 7to the panel. The belt 7 is only partially shown and has at its end (notshown) suitable buckle clasping means well known to the art forcooperating with a buckle 8.

The entire surface of panel 1 is covered with a layer or padding ofsponge rubber 9 or other suitable elastomeric material of unicellularstructure, the layer enveloping two compartments, one a head restportion Z and the other a lower body portion 3. As seen in the drawing,the head rest portion and lower body portion are integrally connectedtogether on opposite sides of the head opening 4, whereby the garmentthroughout its entire construction is buoyant. As shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the compartment of the lower body portion of the panel contains threeblocks of low density sponge glass 10 of unicellular structure separatedby shims 11 of sponge rubber or other elastomeric material also ofunicellular structure. In the head rest compartment, I provide threecross members 12 of sponge rubber or other elastomeric material ofunicellular structure bonded by known cementing material to the upperand lower inner surfaces of layer 9 as shown for one of the members at13. As previously mentioned, the entire panel is coated with vinyl orother water-proofing material.

In forming the panel, two sheaths of about one-half inch thick spongerubber may be employed, one shaped peripherally to form the bottom andthe other similarly shaped for the top. The peripheral edges of therespective sheaths are joined together at seam 15 to form the side edgesof the panel by appropriate air or heat curable bonding cement, wherebythe entire outer sponge casing is rendered impermeable.

Alternatively, by a suitable molding technique, the whole outer casingmay be made in situ about the inner structural components of the panelby utilizing la foamed in-place plastic or rubber composition. Thesponge blocks and sponge rubber components would be suitably indexed andencased in a mold and a foaming rubber or plastic composition poured inthe mold and allowed to expand and till in the empty space surroundingthe surfaces of the components, thereby forming a seam-free unitarypanel structure having substantially the same internal structureillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Because the blocks of sponge glass might have a wearing effect on theinner surface of outer sponge layer 9, I prefer that each block lbewrapped up with a protective layer of thin plastic sheathing 14 (noteFIG. l), for example pliolm.

For a panel having a length of about several feet and a width of 14 to16 inches, the Outer sponge layer 9 or padding of rubber would be aboutone-half inch thick and have an apparent density in the neighborhood of0.12. oz. per cubic inch. The overall thickness of the panel would beabout three inches, the blocks of sponge glass being about two inchesthick and having an apparent density in the neighborhood of about 0.22oz. per cubic inch. Referred to fresh water, the sponge rubber wouldhave a weight displacement effect of about 5 to l while the sponge glasswould be in the neighborhood of 21/2 to l. Shims ll separating theblocks of sponge glass may be one-half inch thick or more, dependingupon the amount of flexing resilience desired in the overall panelstructure. Cross members 12 in the head rest compartment may be aboutone and a half inches thick.

The water garment, presen/er or oat, when used without the sailingassembly is particularly conducive for relaxing in water. Because it issomewhat stift" and substantially rigid, the wearer is not prone to turnuncontrollably in the Water while floating and therefore his head ismaintained above water. The top of the panel is preferably provided witha water-tight pouch associated with it for carrying cigarettes, matches,sunglasses, reading matter or other notions in general use at the shore.

In accordance with the primary aspect of my invention the novel buoyantgarment is used in combination with a small sail and mast to providesome measure of mobility through the water. One embodiment of thiscornbination is illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows a simple mast 16 whichmay be rigid or telescopic and several feet in length is seated at oneend in well I7 shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The mast in cross sectionpreferably comprises a rigid tubular support 18 which extends completelythrough the panel and through a block of material 19, such as a block ofstiff sponge rubber. Gripping anges Ztl and 21 are provided forstructurally supporting the tubular member i8; the ange 2l being also inthe nature of a cap forming the bottom of the well, and the cap beingcovered with soft resilient material 22, e.g. rubber, to shield thewearer.

The mast may be provided at its lower end with a handle 23 formanipulation. In this embodiment, a rigid sail 24 of, for example, curedplastic, is provided rigidly jointed along the mast. Thus, as the weareris iioating, he can maneuver himself via handle 23.

In FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the sailing assembly isillustrated. In this embodiment a cup-socket 25 for the mast 26 issecured to a flexible belt 27 which is fastened by buckle means aroundthe panel. The mast 26, sail 27 and boom 2S are secured by guy strings29 to guy-rings 3G which are sewn to the belt 27, and ring 31 which ispreferably cemented to the panel. Movement of the sail is controlled bystrings 32 which are hand manipulated by the wearer.

It will be appreciated that many ramifications are possible to eectmobility of the garment-preserver article. For example, the wearer mightutilize a cycle type propelling device actuated by means of his arms.

In talking of certain materials used in the construction of the panel asbeing resilient and having elastomeric properties, such materials aremeant to include plastic composition, natural rubber and the like. Theplastic compositions may comprise polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride,styrene or other elastomeric materials of like properties.

Moreover, the foam glass blocks arranged internally provide lateralstability as well as buoyancy. The stability of these blocks, or theirequivalent, is instrumental in the support of the sail and mast. If thebuoyant device is used as a cushion, the blocks may easily support theweight of an adult without imposing any strain on the seams of thepanel. In other words, when the glass blocks are subjected tocompression, such as by sitting, there is no significant increase ininternal air pressure on the seams of the device. This is a majoradvantage of my invention over the iniiated type devices.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction withpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications andvariations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand. Such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the invention and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sail-oat comprising in combination a panel comprising a lowerbuoyant body portion and an upper buoyant head rest portion, the entiresurface of said panel being comprised of a surrounding layer ofresilient sponge material having adhering to its exposed surface asmooth substantially water resistant coating of resilient material, thebuoyant body portion comprising a compartment within said surroundingsponge layer containing substantially throughout its cross sectionblocks of a rigid sponge material of low density separated by shims ofresilient sponge material, the buoyant head rest portion also comprisinga compartment within said surrounding sponge layer, said head restcompartment having contained therein cross members of resilient spongematerial securely bonded to the upper and lower inner surface of thesurrounding sponge layer, an opening in the panel between the buoyanthead rest portion and the buoyant body portion for receiving the head ofthe wearer to enable the disposition of said head rest portion to theback of the head, means associated with the buoyant body portion forsecuring said portion to the front of the wearers body, and a sailingassembly, comprising a mast adapted to be secured to the body portion ofsaid panel, and a sail adapted to be fastened to said mast, whereby thewearer of said panel may float on his back and be propelled through thewater by wind action on the sail.

2. A water garment formed of a panel comprising a lower buoyant bodyportion and an upper buoyant head rest portion, the entire surface ofsaid panel being comprised of a surrounding layer of sponge elastomericmaterial having adhering to its exposed surface a smooth substantiallywater resistant coating of resilient material, the buoyant body portioncomprising a compartment within said surrounding sponge layer containingsubstantially throughout its cross section blocks of a rigid material ofsponge glass of low density separated by shims of sponge rubber, thebuoyant head rest portion also comprising a compartment within saidsurrounding sponge layer, said head rest compartment having containedtherein cross members of sponge elastomeric material securely bonded tothe inner surface of the surrounding layer, an opening in the panelbetween the buoyant head rest portion and the buoyant body portion forreceiving the head of the wearer to enable the disposition of said headrest portion to the back of the head, and means associated with thebuoyant body portion for securing said portion to the front of thewearers body.

3. A swimming garment formed of a panel comprising a lower buoyant bodyportion and an upper buoyant head rest portion, the entire surface ofsaid panel being comprised of a surrounding layer of resilient spongematerial of unicellular structure having adhering to its eX- posedsurface a smooth substantially water resistant coating of resilientplastic material, the buoyant body portion comprising a compartmentwithin said surrounding sponge layer containing substantially throughoutits cross section blocks of a rigid sponge material of unicellularstructure of low density separated by shims of resilient sponge materialalso of unicellular structure, the buoyant head rest portion alsocomprising a compartment within said surrounding layer of spongematerial, said head rest compartment having contained therein crossmembers of resilient sponge material of unicellular structure securelybonded to the inner surface of the surrounding sponge layer, an openingin the panel between the buoyant head rest portion and the buoyant bodyportion for receiving the head of the wearer to enable the dispositionof said head rest portion to the back of the head, and belting meansassociated with the upper surface of said buoyant body portion forsecuring said garment to the front of the wearers body.

4. The swimming garment as deiined in claim 3, wherein said garment isprovided with means to effect mobility thereof through the water.

5. A swimming garment formed of a panel comprising a lower buoyant bodyportion and an upper buoyant head rest portion, the entire surface ofsaid panel being comprised of a Surrounding layer of elastomericmaterial of unicellular structure having laminated to its exposedsurface a smooth coating of vinyl, the buoyant body portion comprising acompartment within said surrounding sponge layer containingsubstantially throughout its cross section blocks of sponge glass ofunicellular structure of l-ow density separated by shims of spongeelastomeric material also of unicellular structure, the buoyant headrest portion also comprising a compartment within said surroundingsponge layer, said head rest compartment having contained therein crossmembers of sponge elastomeric material of unicellular structure securelybonded to the inner surface of the surrounding sponge layer, an openingin the panel between the buoyant head rest portion and the buoyant bodyportion for receiving the head of the wearer to enable the dispositionof said head rest portion to the back of the head, and belting meansassociated with the upper surface of said buoyant body portion forsecuring said garment to the front of the wearers body.

6. The swimming garment of claim 5 wherein the blocks of sponge glass inthe buoyant body portion are enveloped in at least one layer of thinplastic sheathing.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS692,278 Hamberger Feb. 4, 1902 1,706,090 Walcher Mar. 19, 1929 1,938,610Robertson Dec. 12, 1933 2,692,994 King Nov. 2, 1954 2,794,756 LevernzJune 4, 1957 2,894,270 Manthos July 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 127,390Great Britain May 27, 1919 OTHER REFERENCES A publication entitled APCO,published by Atlantic- Pacific Mfg. Corp., 124 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn1,

N.Y.; Catal-og Number 56, page 4; received in Patentr Oiice Feb. 26,1957.

